Guest Mode: Start Instantly
When you first open 12scribe, you are already signed in as a guest. There is no registration screen, no email form, and no waiting. The app generates a unique device identifier and you can start recording, adding markers, and transcribing immediately.
Guest mode gives you full access to Free plan features: 150 minutes of transcription per month, local storage for all your recordings, and the complete marker and playback toolkit. Your data is stored on your device and tied to that device only.
The limitation of guest mode is that your data lives on a single device. If you delete the app, lose your phone, or want to access recordings from a second device, you need an account. That is where Apple Sign-In and email registration come in.
Apple Sign-In
Apple Sign-In is the fastest way to create a full account. Open the Profile tab and tap Sign in with Apple. iOS handles authentication using Face ID or Touch ID, so you do not need to type a password or verify an email address.
When you sign in with Apple, your existing guest data is automatically linked to your new account. All recordings, markers, transcriptions, and project settings are preserved. Nothing is lost or duplicated.
Apple Sign-In also enables:
- Cloud sync of metadata across all your devices
- Subscription management through Apple (upgrade, downgrade, cancel)
- Account recovery if you switch devices or reinstall the app
- Multi-device access (up to 3 devices on the Pro plan)
If you prefer not to share your real email with the app, Apple offers the Hide My Email option during sign-in. This creates a private relay address that forwards to your real inbox.
Email Registration
If you prefer a traditional account, tap Sign up with Email on the Profile tab. Enter your email address and choose a password. 12scribe sends a verification code to your inbox -- enter it in the app to confirm your address.
Email verification is required before cloud sync and multi-device features become active. This protects your account from unauthorized access and ensures you can recover your password later.
After verification, your email account works identically to Apple Sign-In: full cloud sync, subscription management, and multi-device support.
Account Linking
Account linking lets you connect a sign-in method to your existing guest account. This is different from creating a new account -- linking preserves all your current data and simply adds authentication on top.
To link an account:
- Open the Profile tab
- Tap Sign in with Apple or Sign up with Email
- Complete the authentication flow
- Your guest data is merged into the new account automatically
You can link both Apple ID and email to the same account for maximum flexibility. If you started with Apple Sign-In and later want to add email as a backup, go to Profile and tap Link Email.
After linking, your data is protected by cloud sync and accessible from any device where you sign in with the same credentials. You can manage your devices and subscription from the Profile tab at any time.